A sense that the cabin hadn’t just been waiting for Caleb.
But for her, too.
Chapter Four – Caleb
She’s in our house,his bear said. Although, as Hannah stepped over the threshold, he was still faintly disbelieving.
I know,Caleb replied as he flipped on the lights, illuminating the interior of his cabin. The place he called home. But truthfully, it had never felt like home until now.
She’s in our living room,his bear added, sharing Caleb’s feelings.And she likes it.
I can see. Caleb shook his head, unable to contain his smile as Hannah turned around to take in the warm wood and his eclectic furniture.Please stop narrating her every step.
I can’t help it. This is such a momentous moment,his bear said.
A moment they had both begun to believe would never happen. But here she was. Hannah. Their mate.
“Shall I show you the guest room?” Caleb asked as he followed her inside. “We can put your bags up there.”
“Sure. If it’s no trouble,” Hannah replied as she turned and looked at him with an appreciative smile that still held a large dose of wariness.
“No trouble at all.” Caleb led the way up the stairs, Hannah’s overnight bag in one hand, the box of her essentials in the other. He wanted her to feel at home. To feel as if this wereherhome.
Nothing she wants. Nothing she needs will ever be any trouble.His bear practically preened with each step, radiating pure joy.
No, it won’t,Caleb agreed as he tightened his grip on Hannah’s things and went upstairs. He was acutely aware of herfollowing. He could feel the warmth of her body and smell her scent.
She’s walking up our stairs!his bear crowed.She’s going to sleep under our roof!
I’m aware,Caleb said happily.Could you calm down for five minutes?
Absolutely not. This is historic. Momentous. Earth-shattering.
Caleb suppressed a smile, glad Hannah couldn’t hear the running commentary. His bear had never been this chatty, this excited. It was like having an overenthusiastic roommate suddenly take up residence in his head.
“The guest room is this way,” he said aloud, turning down the hallway. “It’s not much, but it has its own bathroom.”
That’s our best guest room!his bear protested.
It’s our only guest room,Caleb replied.
And our mate is going to sleep in it.His bear could not contain his joy.
She is.Although Caleb had always hoped that when he met his mate, the first night they shared a roof, they might also share a bed.
But he could wait. Because the best things in life were always worth waiting for.
He pushed open the door and set Hannah’s things down beside the bed. The room was simple but comfortable... a queen-sized bed with a handmade quilt, the faint scent of clean cotton lingering in the air.
The rain had cleared, and the last of the afternoon light spilled across the wooden floor from the window overlooking the mountain, its golden glow warming the room. Just as his mate had warmed his heart.
“The bathroom’s through there,” he said, gesturing to a door on the far wall. “Clean towels are in the cabinet. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
Hannah stepped past him into the room, her fingertips trailing lightly over the quilt. “This is lovely,” she said, her voice soft as she took in the space. “Thank you.”
Tell her it’s nothing!his bear urged him.Tell her she can stay forever!
“It’s no trouble,” Caleb said instead, leaning against the doorframe to give her room to explore. “The house is too big for just me, anyway.”
